Vesak is a religious festival, but it is also a cultural celebration where many people come together to decorate the streets, give food and drinks at ‘dansals,’ and organise various events. Vesak commemorates three significant events in the life of Prince Siddhartha – his birth, his attainment of Buddhahood, and his Maha Parinirvana (passing away) as the Lord Buddha.
The Sunday Morning Little Stars spoke to a few children about how they celebrate Vesak.
These children shared their joyful experiences of celebrating Vesak, showing how it is both a spiritual and cultural event that brings communities together in acts of devotion, decoration, and charity.
Onaya Abhimani
Grade 1
Viharamaha Devi Vidyalaya
We decorated our house with Vesak lanterns and oil lamps on Vesak day. We started making the lanterns the week before. It was fun working with my father to make the lanterns and help him hang them. On Vesak day, we all went to the temple, offered flowers to the Lord Buddha statues, and lit oil lamps. We saw that many people were observing Sil (a practice of moral discipline). The temple was brightly lit and looked beautiful.
Later at night, we went to see Vesak pandals and how others had decorated their houses. Everything looked very beautiful.
T.K. Shenuli Andriya
Age 7, Grade 3
Nenamal Royal College, Mawaramandiya
We lit both lanterns and oil lamps for Vesak. We decorated the entire house. On Poya day, we went to the temple and observed Sil. Later in the evening, after we came home, we lit oil lamps and then went out to eat at a dansala. It was a lot of fun to go out with the family in the evening.
T.K. Shivin Abhinau
Age 5
Nenamal Royal College, Mawaramandiya
Our teachers taught us about the significance of Vesak Poya last week in school. We decorated the school with lanterns and Buddhist flags. We also decorated our home with lanterns. We went to the temple to worship Lord Buddha. In the evening, we went out and saw many dansals and big lanterns near our place. We also gave away goods to poor people. My mother said the real meaning of Vesak is to do religious deeds and help those in need. I think she is right.